Make Your Own Slime

It's gravy baby has a recipe for how to make slime as well as several variations including glitter slime or heart shaped slime. The main ingredient, like for many of the science projects is you guessed it our old friend Borax. The other ingredients are water, glue and food coloring.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://itsgravybaby.com/2012/02/how-to-make-slime-preschool-craft/

Paper Embellished Bobby Pins

My little fabric uses scrapbooking paper and glue to make really cute bobby pins. She uses triangle shapes however you could do many different patterns including rectangles and stars.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Note: the instructions are in French, however step by step visuals are provided:
http://www.mylittlefabric.com/rose-tendre-blanc-neige-or-news/

Button Bobby Pins

Christina homemaker shows how to take an ordinary bobby pin and attach a pretty button to make it something beautiful. She attaches the button using thread and super glue.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://christinahomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/08/button-bobby-pins.html

Craft and creativity shares her version this craft too.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftandcreativity.com/blog/2012/02/04/hairpins/

Button Cover Bobby Pins

Just call me chris has a really cute way to dress up ordinary bobby pins. She uses a covered button kit but you could easily just buy the buttons already made.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://justcallmechris.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-bobby-pins.html

Textile Paintbrushes

Pink and green mama shows how you can take objects such as yarn, felt, rubber bands and sponges and attach them to clothes pins for a cheap and unique paint brush.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2011/04/experimenting-with-texture-homemade.html

Eco Friendly Paintbrushes

Doodles and jots has a really clever art project making paint brushes out of twigs and leaves, straw and grass. The great part is the fun continues after the brushes are made and they can see the different textures each brush makes.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.doodlesandjots.com/2012/01/05/making-paintbrushes-with-natural-materials/

Cookie Cutter Soap

Stephanie lynn shows you how to take a normal bar of soap and reshape it with a pretty texture. She shows pink and white ideas for valentine's day but consider green from Irish Spring and gold from Dial to make other shapes and colors for many other occasions.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/02/semi-handmade-valentines-day-heart.html

Magnet Activity

Preschool play has a self-contained magnet activity using cut up pipe cleaners, a clear plastic bottle and a magnet. You can use lots of other magnetic objects too such as paperclips to expand play and see if your child can pick up specific objects.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Kids Craft Noise Maker

Creative jewish mom has a unique noise maker using cups, beans, a popsicle stick, stickers and tape. She suggests using hot glue but a thick tape should work too.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/02/recycle-cups-make-a-fun-noise-maker-for-purim-or-your-next-rhythm-project.html

Make your own banjo

Le top usa has a musical project to make a diy banjo using a paper plate, rubber bands, and a paint stick.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://letopusa.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/paper-plate-banjo-craft-for-fun/

Martha Stewart also has a banjo tutorial involving a shoe box, rubber bands, some wood pencils and a paper towel roll for the base.  

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/265694/making-music

Secret Code Messages

Classic play has a unique idea for writing a secret message. Using a paper tube and long strips of paper wrap the paper around the tube and write the message. Unroll the paper and deliver. The recipient will need to re-wrap the paper around the roll to reveal the message.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.classic-play.com/spies-like-us-secret-codes-pt-2/

Color Scavenger Hunt

Creative studio has a really great idea for a scavenger hunt - a colorful one. They even have a solution for how to store all of the items - using an empty egg carton. Using cut outs of different paint cards place a different color in each compartment. Then have the kids try to find something of every color. It will be interesting to see what they come back with and talk about what they were and were not able to find.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://createstudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/color-treasure-hunt.html

Paper Boxes

Don't eat the paste has a couple of free templates for celestial paper boxes including a sun and a moon option. One nice thing about the template is that it's black and white so then kids can color them in.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.donteatthepaste.com/2012/02/celestial-boxes-in-black-and-white.html

Make your own pinwheel

Oh happy day has a free pinwheel template. All you need is colorful paper, straws and a pin to hold it all together.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://ohhappyday.com/2012/01/pinwheel-party-favor-diy-free-printable/

Bagel Bird Feeder Mobile

Wee life has a unique bird seed mobile using bagels and birdseed, peanut butter to keep the seeds in place, a tin pie pan and some ribbon. More interesting than seeing the birds peck at it may be seeing how the bagels hold up and how and if the birds eat the bagel or if some squirrel gets there first.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://living.weelife.com/2009/12/bird-feeder-wreaths-mobile.html

Yarn Butterfly Project

Gummy lump has a really easy butterfly project for young kids using popsicle sticks, yarn, pipe cleaners and buttons.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://blog.gummylump.com/2011/04/yarn-butterflies-spring-craft-kids.html

How to make a cloud in a bottle

Home school journal berg blog has instructions for how to make a cloud in a bottle using water and a match demonstrating condensation.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/cloud-in-bottle.html

Nautical Paper Dolls

Fintoys has a host of unique, vintage paper dolls including this one with a sailor theme.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.fintoys.com/p_doll_lokki.html

Turn a Photo into a Magnetic Doll

Get creative juice has a fun tutorial of how to make any photo a magnetic doll with the help of magnetic props. Kids will love decorating themselves, their friends and their family.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://getcreativejuice.blogspot.com/2012/01/round-up.html

Snowman Temperature Experiment

Mom to two posh lil divas has a fun science experiment that lets little scientist discover which will melt faster an inside snowman or an outside one.  This can be done with any ice but the melting snowman is so much fun to watch. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/2012/01/snowman-experiment.html

Hover Crafts

All for the boys has a great activity for making a hover craft using a cd, a sipping bottle top, glue and a balloon.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allfortheboys.com/home/2011/8/4/science-fun.html

Food Coloring Ice Art

Mom to two posh lil divas has an ice art craft with a science / observation twist using frozen water balloons and food coloring.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/2011/08/preschool-science-cool-ice-art-for.html

Friendship Bracelet Roundup

Chewy noodles has a wrap bracelet macrame tutorial inspired by the Free People clothing line.

Good for ages 8 and up.
Get the instructions here:
chewynoodles.blogspot.com/2011/09/wrap-bracelet-tutorial.html

Homemade gifts made easy has a friendship bracelet tutorial she says can be done in 20 minutes. The trick she says is to use a cardboard disc.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/make-a-friendship-bracelet.html

I love to create has a really easy way to create friendship bracelets using embroidery floss, a cylinder, and stiffening spray.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/maya-in-moment-stiffened-embroidery.html

Honestly wtf has a unique friendship bracelet with a gold hoop embellishment.  It really adds a nice touch.

Get the instructions here:
http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-macrame-bracelet/
 

Oh so pretty the diaries shares what she calls the fastest friendship bracelet ever. So if you're in a hurry to be making some jewelery go check them out. They have a cute addition of a pretty bead at the ends.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ohsoprettythediaries.com/2012/05/diy-fastest-friendship-bracelet-ever.html
 

The red kitchen has a knot friendship bracelet using three colors of thread. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.the-red-kitchen.com/2012/01/lots-of-knots-friendship-bracelet.html

Mosaic Hand Prints

Glittering shards shares a make you own mosaic that is perfect for mother's day using cement, sand and mosaic tiles.  She suggests even having pets participate. 

Good for all ages.

Get the instructions here:
http://glitteringshards.com/2010/make-cement-foot-prints-and-hand-prints/

Hand Cut Out Mother's Day Cards

Krokotak shares how to make an adorable Mother's day card us cut out hands shaped to make a heart.  Kids can then color the hand cut outs and write a message.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://krokotak.com/2012/03/tchestit-8-mart/ 
 

Tiffkeetchcut has a cute hand cut out card too. Using scrap book paper and a folded accordion message in between the two hands.  She prints the message but a hand written message from the child would be special extra special.

Get the instructions here:
http://tiffkeetch.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-much-card-and-kid-canvas.html

Fingerprint Necklace

Bella dia has a cute fingerprint or thumprint necklace idea for Mother's day.  Simply mold clay into the shape you'd like the necklace and press down the child or children's finger, bake and add a string.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2010/04/fingerprint-pendant-tutorial.html
 

Kimbos crafts embellishes the idea a bit more and uses heart shaped clay adding colorful beads as well.  You could also use the matching color birthstones for the beads to personalize them even more. 

Get the instructions here:
http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/06/fingerprint-pendants.html

Happy hour projects also shares a charmed fingerprint necklace.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.happyhourprojects.com/2012/05/guest-blogger-wait-til-your-father-gets.html

Fingerprint Vase

Kiboomu has a Mother's Day craft idea using a store bought vase and paint. She suggests making flowers out of the fingerprints but just general random fingerprint for younger kids would be just as cute.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kiboomu.com/2011/05/04/mothers-day-fingerprint-floral-vase/

Clothes Pin Craft Easel

Better homes and gardens has a very cute craft for Mother's Day using a clothes pin and scrap booking stickers to make a holder for kids artwork.

Good or ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/mothers-day/crafts/mothers-day-crafts-for-kids

Kissing Hands Keychain

Crissy's crafts has a template for a key chain idea for Mother's Day. Each year the child traces its hand onto scratch book paper and adds a well wish for an occasion where you might need a kiss. The template includes a whole bunch of ideas for each kiss and hand.

Get the instructions here:
http://crissyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/kissing-hand-keys.html

How to Make Handprint Ornaments

Stephanie Lynn shares a craft any mother would live, making hand print ornaments out of salt dough. She provides the recipe for a very simple dough, imprints her kids hands and bakes for a very special gift.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/salt-dough-hand-print-ornament-by.html
 

Parenterest has a similar project using footprints. 

Get the instructions here:
http://parenterest.com/2012/05/05/salt-dough-crafts/

Make Your own Maraca

Dan made it has a great use of any left over plastic eggs.  Using spoons, popcorn kernels, masking tape and markers he invented some colorful and easy to make maracas.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/04/tutorial-easter-egg-maracas-for-cinco-de-mayo.html 

Big spring environmental suggests filling toilet paper tubes with rice krispies and covering with  construction paper to make their version of the maraca.

Get the instructions here:
http://bigspringenvironmental.com/20-toys-to-make-from-trash/

Mother's Day Footprint Card

Footprints are another way to go for a Mother's Day card.

Paper Flowers and Vase

Parents has a really pretty flower and vase craft using paper, buttons, a wooden spool and some ribbon. They posted it for valentines day but it can be a great mother's day gift too.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.parents.com/holiday/valentines-day/crafts/adorable-valentines-day-crafts-snacks/?page=5

Hand Print Dish Towel

Family fun has a hand print idea as well using an oven mitt or dish towel.  The nice thing about hand prints is even younger children can participate.  They also suggest brushing the paint onto the hands to make the best print. 

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/mommy-i-made-it-myself-710183/9/

Handprint Prints

Pretty partridge has a cute idea for a framed set of handprints using just pretty scrapbooking paper and a frame.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://prettypartridge.blogspot.com/2009/02/quick-and-easy-hand-crafted-how-to.html
 

Diy star has a nice and simple handprint creation using three different colors of paint and paper.  There are a lot of cute variations you could do with this such as using different children's hands or place it in a cute frame.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://diy-star.info/crafting-ideas-for-children-keep-it-simple/
 

Mod podge rocks has a similar idea to pretty partridge but using just one handprint and adding a heart label with the child's name and year's old to the palm.  She suggests doing one each year and seeing how the hands grow.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/2012/05/mothers-day-handprint-canvases.html
 

Deal wise mommy has a version where the hands overlap one another.

Get the instructions here:
 http://www.dealwisemommy.net/2012/02/family-picture-craft/

A photo version has been posted to pinterest.

http://pinterest.com/pin/9640586672928763/

Little nanny goat shares a horizontal version.

Get the instructions here:
http://littlenannygoat.blogspot.com/2011/06/clean-garage-bench-scripture-case-and.html 

Feelings itchy has an embroidery version.  Complimentary colored marker could be a good substitute.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2011/07/sweet-family-portrait.html   

 

Dukes and duchesses has her own spin on the hand print.  Beginning at age one month she traced her child's hand until the age of five.  It makes a beautiful effect.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.dukesandduchesses.com/2011/05/handprints.html

Black dress red wagon uses a photocopy machine for her version.

Get the instructions here:
 http://blackdressredwagon.blogspot.com/2009/02/elusive-baby-hand-print.html

Chasing fireflies makes an accordion card with a hand print on each page.

Get the instructions here:
http://chasingfireflies.typepad.com/.a/6a00e553a2de7288330133f18561fd970b-pi

Little splurge sells a set of color canvases and oppositional paint for an easy hand print collage.

Get it here:
http://www.littlesplurge.com/2008/05/28/handprint-canvas/

 

Annalea hart attaches her version to a wood tree stump making a plaque.  She also adds a felt heart in the middle of the palm and a flag banner to go across the top.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.annaleahart.com/2011/02/gifts-from-heart-megan-from-contented.html 

Mother's day 2013 photos puts the hand cutouts into a picture frame and hangs from a pretty bow.

Get the instructions here:

http://mothersday2013photos.com/mothers-day-crafts-for-preschool-children-2013/